How did this get through an MOT?

[Brandane]

I have recently ben having issues with the brake pedal "pulsing" on my car, a 2006 Toyota Corolla. This started BEFORE it passed an MOT about 2000 miles ago.
At first I suspected a warped front disc, so changed them. No difference, so I moved to the back brakes.
Having just finished replacing the rear discs and pads, and taken the car for a short drive, I think I may have discovered the cause of the problem:

This was the inboard side of the rear offside disc .....

The other side, with normal wear (the rust is only because it has been sitting for a few days in our lovely summer weather):

All is well with the brakes now, but I don't know how a proper MOT inspection wouldn't have seen the state of the disc. It is the inboard side, so not easily visible unless seen from below - which an MOT should include. It hasn't suddenly deteriorated to that state in 2 months/2000 miles.
Root cause of the problem was probably a sticking pad, so caliper sliders have been replaced too.

 

[bikingdad90]

Hi Brandane,

I would get an opinion from a mechanic who does MOTs at a different centre and if he agrees with you report the MOT testing centre to VOSA.

 

[raleighnut]

I'd check the inside brake piston isn't seized or that the caliper is sliding correctly.
FWIW my ex had a Peugeot 205 and it failed an MOT due to rear brake inefficiency so I got the guy to check again, "no" he said "they're not working" so I sat in the car, pressed the brake pedal whilst he watched the back wheels. The wheels were locked solid (I'd just serviced all the brakes) but his test rig didn't have enough friction to grip the tyre so the dial registered a 'fail'.

 

[Brandane]

I'd check the inside brake piston isn't seized or that the caliper is sliding correctly.

Ahem *cough* ......

Root cause of the problem was probably a sticking pad, so caliper sliders have been replaced too.

There is only one piston, on the outboard side, which is working fine. The sliders were a bit seized up, so have been replaced. Fingers crossed; but all seems to be working fine now.

 

[snorri]

That's the risk you take when you get your MoTs from Ebay.

 

[Brandane]

Hi Brandane,

I would get an opinion from a mechanic who does MOTs at a different centre and if he agrees with you report the MOT testing centre to VOSA.

Unfortunately the evidence is in a skip! In any case, I think it would be extremely hard to prove and cause me a load of stress for nothing. As they say .... an MOT only proves that the car was roadworthy at the time of the test.

 

[Brandane]

That's the risk you take when you get your MoTs from Ebay.

I prefer to print my own; cheaper still .

 

[Profpointy]

The brakes would have been tested for stoppyness and with a good stomp on pedal would presumably have passed. The inboard side of the disc would be barely visible without taking at least the wheel off so unless the bad bit was in sight, I imagine would not have been spotted - hence a pass.

I don't think they take bits off to look, even wheels

 

[mr messy]

Mot must be performed in a prescribed manner to maintain consistancy. Unfortunately this can allow some things to pass on some vehicles even though they are known to be questionable to the owner/repairer with more specialised knowledge.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

The brakes would have been tested for stoppyness and with a good stomp on pedal would presumably have passed. The inboard side of the disc would be barely visible without taking at least the wheel off so unless the bad bit was in sight, I imagine would not have been spotted - hence a pass.

I don't think they take bits off to look, even wheels

That's about it. The brakes are tested for efficiency, a visual inspection is not required.

 

[welsh dragon]

You should have got Arfur daley to do your MOT.

 

[screenman]

Have a look at this interactive site for MOT. A tester is not allowed to remove anything, even hanging dice.

 

[Brandane]

That's about it. The brakes are tested for efficiency, a visual inspection is not required.

That doesn't explain why I got an advisory last year for traces of rust on the brake pipes then. Magically, the said rust had disappeared for this years test without any remedial work being done!
I understand why they aren't allowed to do any dismantling, but I thought they had to check the underside for the likes of corroded brake pipes, rusted floorpan, and ... the inboard side of discs if visible (which I think they are, partially, on a Corolla).

 

[Vapin' Joe]

That doesn't explain why I got an advisory last year for traces of rust on the brake pipes then. Magically, the said rust had disappeared for this years test without any remedial work being done!

I don't think I've ever had a car that didn't get an advisory for rust on the brake pipes. Funny that, no matter how long you keep them it never becomes more than an advisory.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

As a new driver way back in the dark ages my Dad left me the car to take for it's MoT while he went on Hols. As I drove it down the drive to take it to its appointment some cabling got in the steering column and ripped the headlight, indicator etc wiring. No lights at all. So I delivered the car and asked them to repair the wiring. I returned later and picked the car up with its new MoT certificate and drove home. It was then I thought to check the lights. They hadn't been repaired but I was in possession of a valid MoT certificate! So what else hadn't they inspected?

I did take it back and got the lights repaired.